Namibia Overturns Same-sex Law

Namibia’s High Court in Windhoek has overturned two colonial-era laws that criminalised same-sex acts between men on Friday, 21 June.

The landmark ruling came after a case was brought forward by Namibian activist, Friedel Dausab, who was backed by the non-governmental organisation, Human Dignity Trust.

“It won’t be a crime to love anymore,” Dausab said after the verdict was announced. He later added: “I no longer feel like a criminal on the run in my own country simply because of who I am.”

While convictions for the crime were relatively rare, the threat still left many people living in fear and discomfort.

Namibia does not have a similar law that criminalises similar relationships between women. The country inherited the law after it gained independence from its southern neighbour, South Africa, in 1990 following a prolonged war.

According to reports, Namibia ranked as the third most tolerant country on the continent after a pan-African survey was conducted between 2019 and 2021 across 34 countries.

South Africa has also made significant progress, as it is the only country in the African continent to legally allow LGBTQ+ couples to adopt children, marry and enter civil unions.

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